Economic Transformation Strategies: Smart Specialisation Case Studies

By Katharina Fellnhofer, on June 12th, 2017

Smart Specialisation Case Studies

Ortega-Argilés (2012) analyses some European regions that have chosen to take on an economic transformation process that aligns with the goals of Europe 2020, including adopting sustainable, inclusive and smart growth strategies. The strategies include several features and patterns and demonstrate differences in historical and economic environments.

Regions cannot focus on everything

Smart specialisation strategies are outlined to enhance the impact of efficient innovations by spending public resources effectively within Europe 2020 strategic principals. The background of smart specialisation is that regions cannot focus on everything, and consequently, it is vital to pursue a prioritisation procedure, concentrating sources on specific actions.

Smart, sustainable, and inclusive growth

The strategies ought to focus on supporting priorities connected to the goals toward smart, sustainable, and inclusive growth as defined by Europe 2020 and the Innovation Union flagship initiative. In addition, emphasis should be placed on evaluating the impact of the development. In this paper, the following regions were analysed: Flanders in Belgium, Navarra in Spain, Lower Austria in Austria, Skåne in Sweden, Berlin-Brandenburg in Germany, West Midlands in the United Kingdom, Lahti in Finland, Silesia in Poland, Limburg in the Netherlands, Nord-Pas-de-Calais in France, and Emilia Romagna in Italy. The OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) categorisation was adopted by grouping regions per their innovation strategies in an objective manner.